TNT Pulls the Plug on Southland After Five Seasons

"TNT has made the difficult decision not to renew Southland for another season. We are enormously proud of Southland, which stands as one of the best police dramas ever made. Executive producers John Wells, Chris Chulack and Jonathan Lisco, along with creator Ann Biderman and our partners at Warner Bros. Television, have given us five seasons of powerful, unforgettable storytelling, for which we are deeply grateful," a TNT spokesperson said in a statement. "We also want to thank the amazing cast for their impassioned, no-holds-barred performances, and the production team for their tenacity shooting on the streets of real-world Los Angeles. We wish everyone associated with Southland the very best."

After five critically acclaimed, but low-rated seasons, it was long rumored that the show's fifth season would be its last. Earlier this year, Warner Bros., which produces the series, cast star Benjamin McKenzie in the CBS drama pilot, The Advocates. (Cast members Shawn Hatosy and Regina King also shot new pilots, adding to the speculation.) "I'm honored to be a part of the best cop show on TV (IMHO)," McKenzie tweeted to his fans after the casting announcement. "I hope and pray it returns. Nothing would make me happier. #SouthLAnd forever."

Southland first premiered on NBC in 2009, but was axed by the network after just one season. TNT then picked up the drama, which also stars Michael Cudlitz and C. Thomas Howell. The Season 5 finale grabbed just 1.8 million viewers and a 0.7 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic.